Sexuality in schooled men adolescents: A comparative analysis between public and private institutions in Colombia

Abstract

To describe knowledge, attitudes, sexual behavior and family communication among male teenagers from private and public schools, aiming to highlight key aspects for understanding their behavior and providing better sexual health care. Materials and methods: A descriptive analysis of the retrieved data corresponding to male participants (n = 778) in the study “Communication processed about sexuality between parents and teenage children” was made. This study was conducted in 2012, in 23 schools in Cali and 1225 adolescents of both genders participated. A specific questionnaire was built for this research. Data was processed through the software SPSS V. 20 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and statistical test such as T-Student, ANOVA and Chi-square were used with a significant lever of 0.05 (5 %). Results: 778 male teenagers between 11-20 years old (M = 15.3; SD = 1.6) participated in the study, from 12 from public schools (n = 535) and 11 private schools (n = 123). It was found that teenagers from private schools have more access (p = 0.010) and reception of information about sexuality (p = 0.045), but without difference in the age of sexual debut (m = 13.2 years; SD= 1.9) and systematic use of condom (p = 0.068). Likewise, both groups reported barriers in communication about sexuality with their parents. Those from public schools were more likely to report non-protected anal intercourse (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Sexual health knowledge does not imply safer sex behaviors in male adolescents, it was confirmed that programs must have a gender perspective that transcend knowledge provision and create strategies to empower male teenagers in their sexual health self-care.